Elland Silver Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club (21 May 2017)

Another thrilling programme of high-octane brass banding

Forget John Terry’s substitution and the farcical Guard of Honour. Once more, The Highlight of the Weekend was closer to Stalybridge than Stamford Bridge. This was marked by Elland Silver Band’s second gig over the last year at The World Famous Boarshurst Band Club®. With fifteen great pieces, including three memorable solo performances, it was another night to remember.

Littleborough Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club, May 2017

Ady and Co.’s easy going concert with a number of favourites

Littleborough Band’s first 2017 visit to Boarshurst Band Club was met with a good turnout, in spite of the soggy conditions. With an easy going yet pleasing programme, it was a case of ‘easy like Sunday evening’. We revisited some old favourites and we had – not one, but two – duets, and a trio.

Marsden Silver Prize Band: Sunday Brass at Boarshurst Band Club

May Marsden date delivers a strong and stable concert

Boarshurst Band Club’s first concert of May 2017 was well and truly one to remember. It was an enjoyable programme that was testing and entertaining in equal measure for the band. With the return of Alan Widdop, Marsden Silver Band are returning to the Championship section. Going off last night’s concert, they could be in the top flight for a lengthy stint.

Middleton Youth Band: Sunday Youth Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club

Youth band’s successful first visit to Boarshurst Band Club

Yesterday lunchtime [30 April] saw Middleton Youth Band’s first visit to Boarshurst Band Club. It was a most successful soirée for the band conducted by Louise Crane, who visited “The World Famous Boarshurst Band Club” last month.

Ashton-under-Lyne Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club

A class act under Chalk and Co.

St. George’s Day saw the arrival of Ashton-under-Lyne Band who brought us a great concert at the Boarshurst Band Club. In front of a packed audience, Philip Chalk’s Championship Section band gave us all a stunning concert. The balance between entertaining straightforward pieces and meaty yet entertaining pieces was spot on.

BMP (Europe) Goodshaw Band: Easter Sunday Brass at Boarshurst Band Club

An egg-citing programme makes for a joyous concert

Over in Saddleworth and Tameside, this Easter weekend was punctuated by grey skies and weather more akin to early February. The joys of spring – present in most parts of the UK south of Stoke-on-Trent – were woefully absent. In spite of this, the warmest reception was found at the Boarshurst Band Club, and Easter Sunday’s concert with BMP (Europe) Goodshaw Band raised the spirits.

Oldham and Saddleworth Bus Service Changes, April 2017

FirstGroup reorganisation and tender changes behind latest updates 

Back on the Denshaw route: Stagecoach Manchester have regained the 407 service at the expense of Rosso – though with a reduced timetable. This image taken in 2015 shows one of their buses on a Bank Holiday Monday journey.

This month will see a few tender changes, albeit with some drastic cuts to their journeys. The already bricked-to-the-point-of-uselessness 408 service will take a battering for one. As for wanting a late night pint at The Fleece Inn in Mossley, you can forget that unless the 350 bus or County Cars forms part of your plans.

Uppermill Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club

A delightful concert with a good mix of traditional and entertaining pieces

You could be forgiven for thinking that the phrase “after the Mayor’s show” would have applied to yesterday’s visitors, after last week’s gig with Hammonds Saltaire Band. Our guests, Uppermill Band, shook off that tag and asserted themselves very well with an entertaining performance.

Metrolink’s Silver Jubilee: 25 Things About Our Light Rail System

Twenty-five things you may have forgotten about Greater Manchester’s trams

Tram 3060 loading at the Ashton-under-Lyne stop on its first day of operation.

Where were you on the 06 April 1992? For me, it was a bog standard Monday. I was in Second Year – officially Year Eight – at All Saints R.C. High School. With hindsight, I should have bunked off school and caught a 220 bus to Victoria station. On that very date, the first part of Greater Manchester’s Metrolink system opened, from Bury to Manchester Victoria station. The groundwork was set for a light rail system which took the city by storm.